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Overview

Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter

Advertising executive Marta Zinsser is no poster child for her wealthy Seattle suburb-and nothing could please her more. This former New Yorker wears combat boots, not Manolos, and drives a righteous Harley hog instead of a Mercedes SUV. Now she's launching her own agency in this land of the Microsoft elite, even though her ten-year-old daughter wishes she'd put on a sweater set and just be normal. Can this ex-urbanite remain uniquely herself without alienating the inner circle of smug, cookie-cutter executive wives? And when push comes to shove, can she stop being the proud odd mom out and take a chance at something frighteningly-and tantalizingly-new?

Product Details

About the Author

Jane Porter lives in Seattle, Washington, with her two children. You can find out more about her at www.janeporter.com.

Editorial Reviews

Single-by-choice mother Marta Zinsser prides herself on following her bliss; she doesn't worry what others think. But her daughter Eva wants nothing more than to be one of the cool girls. And so Marta makes an effort to conform for Eva's sake. But after tangling with the local alpha mom, helping care for her Alzheimer's-suffering mother, trying to land the client of a lifetime, and dating again after a ten-year dry spell, Marta wonders if it's time to give up and give in. Porter's (Flirting with Forty) new novel is a return to the Pacific Northwest and another mom who's just trying to do her best by her self and her kids on her own terms. Vivid characters and quick dialog support a strong plot, although some elements of the subplot get too light a touch. Marta is smart and funny, but her narrative can get a bit talky (covering consumer culture's enablement of women's insecurity and the price working mothers pay compared to working fathers). Overall, however, the novel's got strong appeal for fans of women's fiction and mom lit. For all public libraries.Amy Brozio-Andrews

Library Journal

Headstrong advertising executive tries to meet the demands of single motherhood. Marta Zinsser has always insisted on taking the road less traveled and thumbing her nose at authority. From her combat boots and muscle bike to launching her own advertising agency, Marta is happiest when shattering stereotypes and going it alone. While this independent streak lands her some great advertising clients, it also lands her in hot water with her impressionable ten-year-old daughter, Eva. Eva feels abandoned as Marta pushes herself to make a financial success of her business. All the other moms volunteer at school, dress in appropriately feminine clothes and have busy social lives. Like all tweens, Eva wants to fit in and be popular. This sensitive soul also senses her mom's loneliness and thinks if Marta softens her look and gets involved in Seattle's social scene, happiness will blossom. Marta cringes at the thought of fitting in with the mommy "A Team," but in an effort to appease her daughter, she starts to become more involved. Upon ending her self-imposed exile, Marta manages to capture the attention of a handsome bachelor and starts dating. But she quickly overextends herself and jeopardizes her firm. This provocative novel argues that it is impossible to have it all. Porter (Flirting with Forty, 2006, etc.) makes plain that something has to give when one is trying to juggle family, love and work. The draining pace of Marta's life comes across convincingly, and Porter's got a knack for getting into the heads of the preteen set; Eva's worries are right on the mark. A poignant critique of mommy cliques and the plight of single parents. Agent: Karen Solem/Spencerhill Associates

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Marta is ok with all the decisions she has made and doesn&rsquo;t feel the pressure to fit in until her daughter Eva is affected. Porter does a great job of showing the struggle of fitting in from both the mom and daughter perspectives. Marta tries to do it for her daughter after she overhears people talking, and Eva just wants to fit in (and all of us have felt that way at some point in our lives.) I grew up with a single mom and I thought Jane did a great job with the mother/daughter relationship. Loved it!

CatmomJD

More than 1 year ago

Not your average Suburban mom. Marta, a single mother does her best to raise her daughter Eva, who just wishes her mom was like the other girls' mom's at her school. She does her best to fit in, but refuses to change some of the things she loves. She finds love when she least expects it. This was a fun book and hard to put down.

LWC15

More than 1 year ago

Really enjoyed the book!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

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jbarr5

More than 1 year ago

The Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter
Marta works at home in the advertising area. She attends PTA's and just does NOT feel like she belongs - her ideas, and clothing, her lifestyle, nothing.
Eva her daughter is all about fitting in. Her mom overhear the women talking about her daughter and her clothes. She is devastated but so happy her daughter
didn't hear.
Her daughter wants her to hang around with other mothers in hopes she will become more like them, dress properly and feminine and not stand out by wearing her
combat boots, holy jeans and driving her motorcycle.
Marta has vowed to never fall in love with a guy again but she keeps running into a macho man everywhere she goes in town.
She deals with business problems and her daughter is acting out by doing cruel things to herself, and her mom being sick isn't helping.
I like this book for a few reasons: the mom is going through wandering around lost as she has alzeihemers, hits home as we are dealing with the disease with a family
member. Like the scenery of the Seattle area-places I've yet to go when we visit my daughter and her family.
Her friend who travels to visit them puts her foot down and intervenes to get her to start dating.
Her daughter is also helping in that regard.
Is this just what she needed or should she get back to working in her business as it's on a downfall? As life goes on
business is now her personal life, they are one.

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More than 1 year ago

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Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Great read, my first by this author. Love how she develops Marta to be this kick-a$$ woman, who shows her vulnerability and doubts with child rearing, and love. Enjoyed the relationship building between Marta and Luke. Pretty good character developement and very entertaining!

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More than 1 year ago

Melinda_WM

More than 1 year ago

Enjoyable, light read without being "cotton candy." Fun!

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Kickbutt_mama

More than 1 year ago

One of the best first person books I've ever read and the humor had me laughing out loud.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I thought the book was one big whine from an over privileged character, whose selfishness drove her life.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Odd mom out was a great book and left me wanting to read the rest of the series asap.

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Guest

More than 1 year ago

This was the first book I read by this author and it will not be the last. I LOVED this book!! I was hooked from page one. I loved Marta's spunk and how she handled herself with the stay-at-home moms. I felt her internal struggle with trying to validate her daughter's feelings about being friends with the popular girls, however trying to raise her daughter to just be herself. Marta prides herself on being independent and created a world that she doesn't allow anyone in, in fear that it will disrupt her life. Then she meets Luke and realizes that she hasn't been living at all. I can't wait to read the follow-up 'Mrs. Perfect'. 4.5/5